Juz 8: Al-Anʿām 111 to Al-Aʿrāf 87
Section 4 of 16 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
4. Prohibitions Regarding Food and Meat
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala establishes clear guidelines regarding the consumption of meat and food, emphasizing the spiritual significance behind these dietary regulations in verses 118-121 of Surah Al-An'am:
فَكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُم بِآيَاتِهِ مُؤْمِنِينَ
“So, eat from what the name of Allah has been pronounced upon, if you believe in His verses.”
This verse establishes a foundational principle regarding halal meat: the requirement of pronouncing Allah's name upon an animal at the time of slaughter. This practice distinguishes permissible food from that which is prohibited, connecting the physical act of eating with spiritual consciousness.
The prohibition is further clarified in the following verse:
وَمَا لَكُمْ أَلَّا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا ذُكِرَ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ فَصَّلَ لَكُم مَّا حَرَّمَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِلَّا مَا اضْطُرِرْتُمْ إِلَيْهِ
“What is wrong with you that you should not eat from what the name of Allah has been pronounced upon, while He has explained to you all that He has forbidden for you, except that to which you are compelled?”
Allah emphasizes that the default position for Muslims is to consume meat over which His name has been mentioned. The question posed is rhetorical, questioning why believers would avoid what is clearly permissible.
The prohibition against meat without Allah's name is unequivocally stated:
وَلَا تَأْكُلُوا مِمَّا لَمْ يُذْكَرِ اسْمُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ وَإِنَّهُ لَفِسْقٌ
“Do not eat from that over which Allah's name has not been pronounced. This is surely a sin.”
Allah describes consuming such meat as fisq (transgression), indicating the seriousness of this violation. This ruling establishes a clear boundary between halal and haram food, making the mentioning of Allah's name a distinguishing factor in determining permissibility.
The spiritual dimensions behind these prohibitions extend beyond mere ritual. When believers consciously invoke Allah's name before consuming animal products, they acknowledge the Creator's sovereignty over all life and express gratitude for His provision. This practice fosters mindfulness and prevents the development of an entitled attitude toward consumption.
Allah then reveals an important spiritual reality behind those who dispute these clear guidelines:
وَإِنَّ الشَّيَاطِينَ لَيُوحُونَ إِلَىٰ أَوْلِيَائِهِمْ لِيُجَادِلُوكُمْ
“The devils inspire their friends to dispute with you.”
This verse explains the source of opposition to divine dietary laws. Those who argue against these clear prohibitions are influenced by satanic whispers. The devils inspire their allies to engage believers in intellectual disputes regarding these matters, attempting to undermine clear divine commands through specious arguments.
The profound contrast between spiritual illumination and darkness is then illustrated through a powerful metaphor:
أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا
“Is the one who was dead and We gave him life, and set for him a light with which he walks among people, like the one whose condition is such that he is in total darkness 5. Spiritual Death and Revival: The Parable of Light”
In Surah Al-An'am, Allah presents a profound parable that illustrates the transformation from spiritual death to life through faith. This powerful imagery serves as a reminder of what true guidance accomplishes in the heart of a believer.
أَوَمَن كَانَ مَيْتًا فَأَحْيَيْنَاهُ وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُ نُورًا يَمْشِي بِهِ فِي النَّاسِ كَمَن مَّثَلُهُ فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ لَيْسَ بِخَارِجٍ مِّنْهَا كَذَٰلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْكَافِرِينَ مَا كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ
“Is the one who was dead, then We gave him life and created for him a light with which he walks among people, like the one who is in darkness from which he cannot come out? This is how their deeds appear beautified to the disbelievers." (Al-An'am 6:122)”
This verse presents one of the most eloquent descriptions of what faith does to a person. Before guidance, a person exists in a state of spiritual death – not physical death, but a death of purpose, meaning, and connection to the Divine. When Allah bestows faith upon such a person, it is likened to giving life to the dead. Faith becomes the animating force that awakens the soul from its slumber.
The parable continues by explaining that along with this spiritual resurrection, Allah creates "a light" (نُورًا) for the believer. This light represents divine guidance, clarity of purpose, and the ability to distinguish truth from falsehood. It is not merely an internal illumination but one that manifests in how the person "walks among people" – affecting their conduct, choices, and interactions with others. The believer now possesses discernment and wisdom that guides their journey through life.
In stark contrast stands the one who remains in "darkness" (الظُّلُمَاتِ) – plural in Arabic, indicating multiple layers and types of darkness. This represents the state of disbelief, confusion, and spiritual blindness from which there seems no escape. The disbeliever is trapped, unable to find a path out of their existential confusion and moral disorientation.
What makes this condition particularly dangerous is that Allah explains how the deeds of disbelievers are "beautified" to them. They become deceived about the true nature of their actions, mistaking harmful behaviors for beneficial ones, and wrong paths for right ones. This beautification (تَزْيِين) represents a profound spiritual deception that reinforces disbelief.
The following verse continues this theme by explaining the source of such corruption and beautification:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَابِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا فِيهَا وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ
“And in a similar way, We made in every town its big criminals, so that they make plots therein. They do not plot except against themselves, while they do not realize it." (Al-An'am 6:123)”
Allah reveals here a pattern that repeats throughout human societies – in every town or community, there arise influential individuals who become "big criminals" (أَكَابِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا). These are not necessarily criminals in the conventional sense but rather major sinners and spreaders of corruption who occupy positions of influence. They devise schemes and plots to maintain their power and oppose the truth.
Yet Allah affirms a profound reality – their plotting ultimately harms only themselves, even while they remain unaware of this fact. Like a person who drinks poison thinking it medicine, they orchestrate their own destruction while believing they secure their interests.
This pairing of verses offers believers both consolation and warning: consolation that the light of guidance is a precious divine gift that distinguishes them from those in darkness, and warning that even powerful opposition to truth ultimately fails, harming only those who devise such schemes.